After losing to the Cleveland Cavaliers in the Eastern Conference Finals, it became evident that the Boston Celtics need additional firepower to challenge LeBron James and company.
According to the Vertical's Adrian Wojnarowski, the Celtics plan to pursue several big-name free agents this summer, including Blake Griffin of the Los Angeles Clippers and Gordon Hayward of the Utah Jazz. Wojnarowski states that the Celtics won't get both Griffin and Hayward, but their immediate future will definitely change if they acquire one of them.
With the Warriors dominating the Western Conference, Griffin and Hayward may be interested in going to the East where they could make their mark in the playoffs.
The Celtics hold the No. 1 overall pick in the 2017 NBA Draft, which they can use to take another playmaker or trade to a big-time superstar who can complement Isaiah Thomas and Al Horford.
Griffin, Hayward slated to become free agents this summer
The 28-year-old Griffin is slated to become a free agent in the summer and is eligible to sign a maximum five-year deal with the Clippers worth more than $200 million. Griffin averaged 21.6 points, 8.1 rebounds and 4.9 Assists Per Game in the regular season but suffered a season-ending toe injury in their first-round series against the Jazz. The Clippers eventually lost to the Jazz in seven games.
Hayward, for his part, can sign a five-year contract amounting to just $177.5 million, instead of a $207 million deal after he was not selected in the All-NBA teams.
The 27-year-old Hayward averaged 21.8 points, 5.5 rebounds and 3.5 assists per game last season.
Knicks also interested in Griffin?
According to Joe Giglio of NJ.com, the New York Knicks may explore the possibility of trading superstar Carmelo Anthony to the Clippers for Griffin. The Knick are expected to part ways with Anthony after team president Phil Jackson declared that the All-Star may be better off with other teams.
Last season, the Knicks aimed to trade Anthony to the Clippers for Griffin but they were prevented by a rule in the collective bargaining agreement.
The rule prohibits a team from having two Designated Rookie Max extensions on its roster acquired via a trade at any given point in time. During that time, the Knicks already had Derrick Rose, whom they acquire via trade from the Chicago Bulls. A10-time All-Star, Anthony averaged 22.4 points and 5.9 rebounds per game last season as the Knicks finished with a 31-51 mark.
